BBP leader Mustafa Destici reacts to Deniz Göktaş: "If you insult my sacred values..."

Great Unity Party (BBP) Chairman Mustafa Destici made statements regarding comedian Deniz Göktaş during his weekly press conference held at his party's headquarters.

Göktaş, who became a trending topic on social media after his stand-up show titled "Ölü Deniz," performed at the İstanbul Harbiye Cemil Topuzlu Open-Air Theater, was released on YouTube, had drawn reactions from some AKP circles and religious groups.

Destici stated that Göktaş had reached a high number of views in a short time, adding that the situation would be clarified as a result of the investigation. Expressing that humor can address politicians, business people, artists, and social events, Destici noted that they have no objections to this.

"You cannot insult the sacred values of this nation. This is the measure. You cannot insult the Quran, which is considered the holy book by not only the 85 million in Turkey but by over 2 billion people in the world, and according to which they live their lives. You cannot make it the subject of humor, you cannot trivialize it. You cannot, so to speak, make fun of it or entertain others with it. This is what we want to express. If you insult my sacred values, we will tear that tongue out."

It was reported that an investigation had been launched against Göktaş on the grounds that he "insulted religious values" due to his remarks in the show. The controversy grew after the show reached millions of views on social media.